Yunus (Jonah)

Yunus (Jonah) was sent to the population of Nineveh. Wearied by their refusal, he left his people without God's permission — a fault that led him into the belly of a fish, from which his repentance saved him. His people, however, believed and were spared.

Yunus called his people to the oneness of God for a long time, but in the face of their obstinacy, he left them in anger, before God had permitted him to do so.

He boarded a ship. When the sea raged and the vessel needed to be lightened, the lot fell on him: he was thrown into the water, and a great fish swallowed him.

In the triple darkness — the belly of the fish, the sea, the night — Yunus understood his fault and implored God with humility. God answered him, delivered him from his distress, and brought him back safely.

Remarkably: having come to faith, the city of Yunus was spared from punishment — a case where an entire people believed before it was too late.

Yunus teaches that no one is immune from error, but that sincere repentance, even from the depths of the greatest darkness, is always heard by God. His prayer has become that of all those whom anguish grips.

لَّا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ

Mentionne aussi l’homme au poisson qui, irrité, quitta son peuple sans connaître le sort que Nous lui réservions. Il implora alors dans les ténèbres : « Il n’est de divinité en droit d’être adorée que Toi. Gloire à Toi ! Je me suis comporté en homme injuste ! »

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